The Way this Trial of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and significant – days during multiple decades of violence in this area.

Within the community where it happened – the images of the tragic events are painted on the structures and etched in people's minds.

A civil rights march was organized on a cold but bright period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was challenging the practice of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been put in place in response to three years of unrest.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.

A particular photograph became notably iconic.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood cloth while attempting to defend a group moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists recorded extensive video on the day.

The archive includes the priest telling a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

That version of events wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been fired upon initially.

During the negotiation period, the ruling party established a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the report by the investigation said that overall, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that none of the casualties had been armed.

The contemporary head of state, the leader, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Authorities began to investigate the incident.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.

Indictments were filed regarding the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, other civilians, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a court ruling protecting the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at people who were armed.

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the inquiry would not be used straightforwardly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the veteran was shielded from sight behind a protective barrier.

He spoke for the opening instance in the hearing at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the charges were presented.

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday travelled from the city to the courthouse every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was killed, said they were aware that hearing the case would be difficult.

"I can see everything in my memory," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It even takes me back to my position that day.

"I assisted with Michael and place him in the vehicle.

"I relived each detail during the proceedings.

"Despite experiencing the process – it's still worthwhile for me."